Griot's T8 light?

[PoorOwner]

Does anyone have this one or something similar, $299 it's seems alot for a T8 fixture, what is the difference if I get 3 2-tube with T8 electronic ballast?

http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1=L1_3000&L2=L2_3070&SKU=13014

Looks like it's meant to be put over your work bench with concentrate light.

How about T5HO output, like the raptor, I believe they are made for high bay and is not ideal for a 9 ft ceiling?

I was thinking of adding 1 strong lighting fixture over the engine bay, but the hood could be in the way and I think it might just blind me when I crawl out from under the front of the car. I already have a flood light shining at an angle into the engine bay but want more light.

 

[Junkman]

We have a 8 bulb 4 foot square fixture in our kitchen, and when it was first installed, everyone thought that you would need sun glasses because it was so bright. Now, if one bulb burns out, my wife wants it replaced immediately, since she has become used to the brightness. I fell that you can never have too much light. I hate working in darkness, and use portable lighting whenever working in the engine bay. Junk.....

 

[z28toz06]

It's a great light but you are paying for the name. I'm sure you could find a fixture that would put as much light out for considerably less.

 

[Danglerb]

I'm too lazy to read the whole thing, but it LOOKS like the SunLight branded stuff I have seen in smaller desk or reading lights. Two main features, special, read costs a LOT more tubes, and high frequency ballasts that won't buzz or flicker at 60 hz. This is the direction good lighting in going in, but given how many of the SunLight fixtures I've seen in outlet stores, its not here yet.

Scary to think what that light might cost if it was Snapon.

 

[markl]

Be careful with Griot's stuff. Like Z28 said your paying for the name. Griots rebadges ALOT of the stuff they sell. Look around and I'm sure you'll find the same or similar light much cheaper. Have you tried Lowes or Home Depot yet? I admit Griots has some cool items but for the price I'll look elsewhere to find it first. The huge tool cabinets they sell are made by Lista I believe. I,v've heard their cleaning and care care products are pretty good though.

 

[eschoendorff]

you can never have too much light. I hate working in darkness, and use portable lighting whenever working in the engine bay. Junk.....

You just quoted my dad - verbatim

 

[Fast Orange]

There's nothing to that Griots fixture that can't be found at a decent electric supply house,and for less money.
The first thing is the T-8/electronic ballast-it's the basis for every 4' flourescent fixture currently sold -the old T-12/magnetic ballast fixtures aren't even being manufactured anymore.
The second item of note is the 5000K lamps-nothing new here either.Sylvania and other manufacturers have had these available for over a year,and most well stocked supply houses will have them in stock.Expect to pay a premium for these,though-probably around $10/lamp.A standard 4100K lamp is usually about $2/lamp.IMHO,the 4100K lamp works just fine in a shop environment,unless color rendition is critical.
The third ingredient is the reflector in that fixture.It's an engineered,highly polished piece of aluminum that reflects almost all of the light from the lamps straight down on the work surface.Again,no rocket science.A standard 9 cell,4 lamp,2'x4' parabolic troffer fixture does the same for much less.Even though this fixture is meant to be installed in a drop ceiling,you can surface mount it.
Expect to pay about $60-$80 for the fixture with the electronic ballast and another $8-$10 for 4 lamps-mount 2 of these end to end over your 8' workbench and you'll have plenty of light in a garage with 9' ceilings,for half the price.

George